But again, that price does not match my checklist.  

Applicants with a non-violent criminal misdemeanor that occurred more than two years ago or a non-violent criminal felony that occurred more than five years ago may be considered if restitution for their crime was made in full and all time was served.Also, we may require an additional security deposit and demonstration of good employment history, credit history, and rental history since the time of the crime.Multiple offensives will result in denial regardless of what the employment, credit and rental history shows.

Having said that, their security deposit is not a line of credit.

You may find someone to move.in shortly after it is vacant which saves the owner's income stream and the departing Tenants deposit.

We then present that to our investor clients as potentially aligning properties to match their portfolio needs.

If you get a loan at some LTV (typically 70-75%), then your C/C can be compared to any economic investment, eg money market funds, certificates of deposit ... 

Tenants should always have "skin in the game" namely the security deposit.

I pick up the rent and deposit it.

To do that would require me to at least match but ideally exceed my current income so I'm looking to build a real estate business that can support that.

You have a Tenant collect and deposit rents and report any issues to you for a discount on lot rent and an hour away is nothing.